The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Fracture \Frac"ture\ (?; 135), n. [L. fractura, fr. frangere,
   fractum, to break: cf. F. fracture. See Fraction.]
   1. The act of breaking or snapping asunder; rupture; breach.
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   2. (Surg.) The breaking of a bone.
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   3. (Min.) The texture of a freshly broken surface; as, a
      compact fracture; an even, hackly, or conchoidal fracture.
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   Comminuted fracture (Surg.), a fracture in which the bone
      is broken into several parts.

   Complicated fracture (Surg.), a fracture of the bone
      combined with the lesion of some artery, nervous trunk, or
      joint.

   Compound fracture (Surg.), a fracture in which there is an
      open wound from the surface down to the fracture.

   Simple fracture (Surg.), a fracture in which the bone only
      is ruptured. It does not communicate with the surface by
      an open wound.

   Syn: Fracture, Rupture.

   Usage: These words denote different kinds of breaking,
          according to the objects to which they are applied.
          Fracture is applied to hard substances; as, the
          fracture of a bone. Rupture is oftener applied to soft
          substances; as, the rupture of a blood vessel. It is
          also used figuratively. "To be an enemy and once to
          have been a friend, does it not embitter the rupture?"
          --South.
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